Is the old testament relevant today?
Does the old testament have meaning today? People used to go out and stone someone for a single sin, but things have changed right? We don't have to do that, and I am glad. But why?
Why does all that not mean anything now?
Many would say, the Holy spirit came into the world. That was at Pentecost though. Jesus was stopping the stoning before that.
I see that the law of Moses still applies but just not in the way that the Pharisees put it. We know creation is relevant. Has the old testament become a book of old stories, and ancient battles?
I'm confused. Stoning isn't relevant, but God doesn't change the rules.
Can someone help me understand?
1 comment:
From Pastor Les:
The Old Testament is absolutely relevant today. At Alameda Hills, we are preaching through Exodus right now. It is not that things have changed, as much as things have progressed.
After Man sinned, God had a plan to restore us to a right relationship with Him. However, that relationship was going to be a journey over time, like taking a trip in a car. First, the people of God were told to perform animal sacrifices. Those sacrifices could not save anyone, but they would make people understand what Jesus was going to be doing when He came. Those people were saved by what Jesus was GOING to do on the cross.
In the same way, some of the Laws of the Old Testament were to keep people pure before Jesus came and fulfilled the Law. Other Laws and instructions were going to be necessary for all followers of God, Jews and Christians.
It is sort of like driving down a road. A sign may say, "Damaged Road Ahead." You drive over the damaged part, and then it is smooth again. That sign was just for a short distance. However, there are also signs that are for very long stretches of road. Speed limit signs are in effect until until there is a new speed limit sign.
In the Bible, it is not that things "change," as much as that things have been "fulfilled." For instance, when Jesus died for our sins, there was no longer a need to perform sacrifices. He was the ultimate sacrifice. It is not that things changed. It was that God wanted people to perform those sacrifices so that we would see what Jesus was doing.
How do you know which one is which? That is more complicated. First and foremost, the things in the Old Testament that are "affirmed," meaning restated, or talked about as still in effect, are the most significant ones we hold to. From there it gets more complicated.
Hope that helps to clear things up a bit.
Les
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